4. Talib Zanna Will Have a Breakout Season

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If Talib Zanna continues to play like he did in the 2011-12 postseason, the Panthers will be tough to handle up front.

Zanna struggled during the regular season but found his footing in the CBI tournament, scoring in double digits in five of Pitt's six games in the tournament. He averaged 11.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game and converted 73.7 percent (28-of-38) of his field-goal attempts in those six games.

On the season, playing less than 20 minutes per game, the 6'9" sophomore forward from Nigeria was the team's No. 2 rebounder (5.5 RPG) while scoring 6.3 points per game.

He shot 57.1 percent from the field and was the team's best defensive player.

One of the reasons why Zanna is emerging as an interior force is the fact that he faces stiff competition every day in practice going up against former 5-star recruit Dante Taylor (who just might be ready to put it all together for his senior season). They should form a two-headed monster at power forward.

If Zanna can learn to play effectively with incoming freshman Steven Adams, the Panthers will have one of the most scary frontcourts in the conference.

3. The Panthers' Co-MVPs Are Both Back and Ready to Ball

Tray Woodall (pictured) and Lamar Patterson weren't happy about how last season unfolded.

Even though both players individually did well in 2011-12, the Panthers' co-MVPs have a bad taste in their mouth that they want to get rid of as soon as possible.

Woodall, Pitt's talented point guard, missed 11 games last year with a groin injury. Even though he had to fight through this, the 5'11" floor leader from Brooklyn still averaged 11.7 points and 6.1 assists per game.